He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.  And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matt 18:2-4 (NIV)

An “X” could have easily marked the spot of this troubling scene. Traffic was backed up; and tempers were about ready to blow. A team of top-flight engineers were called to the site because a boat and trailer had caused a major blockage. It was found the cargo atop the flatbed was inches too high to travel under an overpass. Despite the experts’ many sketches, theories, and calculations, the wisdom of a nearby child ultimately yielded the answer. His simple suggestion of taking the air out of the trailer’s tires won the day.

In the face of the maddening spiritual traffic jam and battle among the philosophers and religious “engineers” of our day, is it possible for any of us to serve as childlike bystanders with a profound, simplifying message? On this wonderful day, I ask God to help me to be that voice…

A theologian, religious historian, prophet, pastor, or cult leader I am not, I’m just a bystander watching the major religions and humanist proponents battle over the genuine bridge to divine truth. There seems to be a worldwide traffic jam as to how to proceed; and tempers already are at the level of a boil. Spiritual and intellectual engineers equipped with “holy books” and new solutions seem to be everywhere, complete with convenient sketches, self-serving theories, and varying formulas for people’s salvation. Where is the truth? Where is the solution?

Just as an “X” could have marked the spot in the above example of the boat and the overpass, this bystander suggests that the ✞ (cross) marks the spot for every manner of faith and philosophy. When one honestly visits the ✞, the seemingly complicated dilemma of finding the bridge to the truth turns simple. It is at the cross where one figures, ponders, intellectualizes, ignores, quits, or believes. Either Jesus Christ died for our sins in the most unconditional act of everlasting love and forgiveness or He didn’t. Either He rose from the grave in resurrection power or He didn’t. Either He is God and the Messiah or He isn’t. Either He is the way, the truth, and the life and the only way to the Father in heaven or He isn’t.

To cross a particular bridge in an earthly setting is one thing. To come to the cross declaring that Jesus Christ is the bridge to eternity is entirely another. The heated debate that has come as the result of contending religions and secular movements is undone with the beautiful wisdom of a child. If Jesus Christ is who He says He is, then that makes Him mankind’s simple solution.

So, as the child who stood alongside the “X” at the scene of the boat and the overpass, I stand at the foot of the ✞ — the most troubling yet redeeming spot–and declare to the seekers of truth that Jesus Christ is the answer.

John 14:6; Matt 16:16